Where is summer? It is raining cats and dogs here! Perfect time to settle down and read a few letters from the mailbag.



Hello, Dr. D’Adamo: I cannot express how much your blood type diet has helped me and my husband to much better health. Since we both eliminated all sources of trouble for type A nearly all of our health problems vanished: my migraine torturing me every other day, rheumatic pains in the morning, headache, skin problems, pain in the belly and so on. We follow your instructions for four years now. In a first step I eliminated wheat, kidney beans, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers but continued with some dairy products. Then I found out that it did much better to me to kick out every milk product- suddenly everlasting skin problems went away. We both are type A, my husband is secretor, I am Le(a-b-). Even so that I am much healthier now and feel no pain any more I might have developed, so it appears to me syndrome X because of my eating of too much sweet and fat and starchy food. So I would like to adapt my food choice and to find out if I should choose more food like type O non-secretor? Is there new information about A Le(a-b-) available? What do you think about the ideas of Loren Cordain? Many thanks for your wonderful work (please excuse my language – I’m writing from Austria) Helen

Hello Helen!

I’ve read a few papers by Loren Cordain, though I have not perused the book he wrote a few years ago. Frankly, I think some of his lectin ideas probably stemmed from my first book, which is quite OK, as they are not my original ideas anyway. His suggestions about the value of a low-grain ‘Paleolithic’ type diet are very applicable to some people, but are not universal; since not everyone comes from a Paleolithic heritage; about 45% of us are from a Neolithic background.

As far as your Double Lewis Negative (LDN) blood type, it is typically common for me to clinical consider LDNs non-secretors, even though for technical reasons, secretor status can not be imputed from you Lewis test result. If anything, metabolically, LDNs are probably ‘super-non secretors’ from a phenotype standpoint. Choosing foods from an O-non secretor standpoint is probably not going to produce much of an added effect, since you stand to get the most benefit from the beneficials (or super-beneficials), and these are definitely type A specific.

Here's a link to some information on the Lewis System.

I have been on the blood type diet for over a year now, and at 19, am in the best shape of my life. With an active lifestyle (no intended exercise) and the blood type diet, I have been able to shed countless pounds, and have forwarded many people to the diet. I think that your blood-type specific supplements and such are an innovation. However, have you thought of introducing your diet to many major food companies that make diet specific foods (such as South Beach) or Atkins? Not only would it give the diet more advertisement, it would also make it easier to adhere to my diet. Working 50 or 60 hours a week and going to school makes it hard for me to eat correctly (or at all for that matter), and I have found myself eating bar snacks and drink garnishes for nourishment (I am cocktail waitress). Oddly enough I was loosing more weight eating 3 or 4 meals a day than close to nothing at all, and I would appreciate it if healthier options were readily available. Sincerely, Faith (B positive)

Greetings Faith,

Though I won’t rule it out completely, I’m not particularly jazzed about those types of strategic partnerships; they almost always result in some compromise, either quality or concept-wise. Certainly that bit of ease may help some harried people, but usually by the time whatever you are eating gets into the box, so many ‘intermediates’ have been at the through that in retrospect you’d have just been better having done some pre-preparation instead. NAP does make some protein bars that are very blood type friendly; perhaps these can be used in a pinch. I can usually get it together to bring some green tea, manna bread (if I remember to defrost it the night before!) and peanut butter over to the clinic, no matter how rushed I am, and to be frank, I can be very absent-minded!

Hi Peter, I would like an official answer from you on something, if you don't mind. I was well on my way to a frozen shoulder some 8-10 months after a fall on that shoulder. The doctors had all told me it was fine. Ha, isn't THAT funny! Anyway, I took it upon myself to have a physical therapist look at it and that's when we discovered the problem. I have had some success in working with my chiropractor. He had been doing some pretty aggressive therapy. I have slacked off that and have had my massage therapist work on it some. It is really sore after the last time, which I feel is to be expected. However, some on the board think frozen shoulder is an autoimmune problem. I absolutely know this was triggered by my fall, BUT after noticing it feels worse if I eat avoids, I am starting to wonder if there is in fact some truth to it being an autoimmune disorder, triggered by the fall. I thank you in advance for your help. Also, for all you do, for all you so unselfishly give. You are, once again, an amazing man. Humbly, Pat



Hi Pat!

I’ve had frozen shoulder in the past (actually in my family, a lot of the men have) and I can sympathize with you! It is very painful! I suspect that the cause, continuance and cure are all multi-factorial. For me, it was probably computer-driven repetitive motion, coupled with the repeated use of a screw gun to drive sheetrock into place above my head. Often, the shoulder capsule does develop a gluey substance (which is why frozen shoulder is often termed ‘adhesive capsulitis’) that prevents the joint from gliding properly. Undoubtedly this gluey substance is a post-inflammatory consequence, and if so, you might very well see a link between eating avoids and inflammatory activity; I certainly did. Karate training really helped me, plus a lot of bromelain (an enzyme made from pineapple stems) which acts like a detergent on the joint tissue. If your chiropractor has an iontophoresis machine, tell him to try driving in some 2% magnesium sulphate a few times. Also, I’ve been seeing some very nice results with cold laser therapy treatment; perhaps your DC or physiotherapist can assist you with this therapy as well.

You say the notion of metabolic typing has no basis in scientific research. However, one can't deny that certain diets (i.e. Atkins) result in significant weight loss for some yet cause others to retain or even gain weight. That fact is a clear-cut association with metabolic typing. Jess

Hi Jess,

Well, if you mean ‘metabolic typing’ in the generic sense of the word; or even better ‘metabolic profiling’ as in metabolomics, I would agree with you. In that light, the Blood Type Diet is a form of metabolic profiling, since it uses genotype to determine phenotype. However, if you a referring to the ‘metabolic typing’ seen in such popular books as those written by Walcott or Mercola, I would beg to differ; they have no notion of genotype since they have no genomic basis for their determinations.

Hi, Sadly my daughter just died 10 days after the MMR vaccine was given to her. She was only 17 months. I had tested her blood and she was Blood type B. I am AB- secretor and my wife blood type O+. After MMR she came out in spots like chicken pox and died in her sleep with a little blood on her mouth and bed sheet. Being blood type B, could she have been dealing with a virus before the MMR that was not obvious i.e. could she be dealing with chicken pox in the form of shingles? She kept getting rashes on her face and just a few spots just days and weeks before but doctor said it was fungus; the antifungal cream did seem to work. Would this cream be able to make shingles rash disappear? Could blood type B be more susceptible to death and why? We gave our son single vaccines first time and he lived. There is no doubt in our minds she would not have died if she did not get the MMR. She did also get temperature spikes 5 days after the MMR peaking at 39 deg C, but just before death her temperature was more stable. Under normal MMR circumstances how long would it be before her body would create the required antibody and mop up all the mumps, measles and rubella virus? She was a perfect child with an immense amount of energy and vitality. Best regards, -John

Wow, John,

I am so sorry to hear of you loss. I have written about how it seems to me that children who are type B appear to have more extreme reactions to childhood vaccinations, but hindsight in this case would be 20/20 and it would be insensitive and outrageous to state categorically that this was the result of the child being blood type B. However, I will now redouble my efforts in this direction, and indeed if there is some link, hopefully we can elucidate it, and then get the word out. It is the least we can do.

Dr. D'Adamo, I just want to thank you so very much for all your work and your books. When I first heard about the idea of eating based on blood type I thought that it was a crazy idea. Many years later experiencing some health problems I went to see a doctor who had me buy ERYT. After reading the chapter about Type O, me being O+, I really made sense. I have been using this info for the past 3 years now and I'm feeling young again. I tell people this is the first book they should read if they want to experience better health. Thanks again. -Gregory

A lot of people think concept is crazy at first exposure. I did a radio show in Europe and a geneticist called in saying that blood type was not more important that the color paint on a car. I thought a moment and replied, ‘Well, if you got hit by a car, what would be the first thing about that car you would tell the police officer?’ The idea behind the link between diet and ABO blood group is multidimensional. Often, however, people in the sciences are called in to comment on in only in regard to their discipline. This is usually where the quality of the criticism tends to drop precipitously.

I read your daily note about the nutritionist’s husband I can't believe that you actually waste time on this topic. I have made a few inquires to you and "never" received a response. Perhaps bashing someone who does not agree with your theories is more important than responding to one of the users of your diet who has a legitimate question concerning her health. It is you I am disappointed in. I think that your response to this person is pathetic as well as your lack of interest in the people that follow your diet. Elizabeth

Hello Elizabeth,

I could not find any prior questions with either you name or email attached to them, so I don’t know how far back your dilemma goes. The article that you refer to is not part of the ‘Ask Doctor D’Adamo’ column, but rather my blog, which usually involves me ruminating about thoughts and ideas and does not typically feature my responding to questions. Actually, I’ve only just begun responding to questions after a two-year hiatus; however I’ve not seen many authors who respond to questions at all, so perhaps your criteria is a little extreme. Actually a great place to get questions is on the BTD Forums. I'm on it a lot and there are many other bright intelligent folks as well.

I have purchased hundreds of your books and I give them away to my patients that are open to change. Recently, my Spanish speaking patients are requesting your book in Spanish. I have tried to located it in Spanish and I have been unsuccessful. Could you tell me how I can obtain the eat right for your type in Spanish? Thank you. -Mr. Sanchez.

Hola Mr. Sanchez,

North American Pharmacal would know better than I about the current status of my books in Spanish. I do recall a publisher in Buenos Aires, but also believe that the book is now being printed in Spain proper. You can call them at 877-ABO-TYPE and I’m sure they can locate a source for you. Oh, wait.. they have a Spanish edition listed on their website.

Bless you ! Not only have you vastly improved my immune system and some health problems, but also completely changed the lives of several other people that I know. One a type A who did not realize that milk was the source of her terrible IBS and arthritis, and her husband, type O, who cured himself of snoring and breathing problems to the great benefit of their marriage ! I will keep on recommending friends and family to read your books and I think that this science is the way forward for the future of the human race. It has even helped me to understand my husband better (he is type O), as I am a B and I know at last why we have different likes and needs and I vary our meals accordingly to suit our different types. –Beryl

Hello Beryl,

Thanks! Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come. Perhaps it is time for people to open their eyes up to the idea of individualized nutrition; not just to get rid of a few pounds, but to create health and balance where there is only sickness and imbalance. The BTD holds so much more promise for the future of food; under its lens, each food becomes a dynamic entity, which powers that vary from person to person. So much more interesting that just the protein, fat and carbohydrate content!

My wife recently had our first child (9 months ago) but ever since then has suffered badly with constipation. We are both O type blood groups and began the 'new' regime 10 weeks ago, and it is going very well. I have lost 25lbs in weight! Nikki has lost 14lbs! We are both really pleased with the way things are going, but would like the above question answered and it is quite painful for her. Regards Cliff Howden –Cliff

Have Nikki start taking some ghee (clarified butter), about 1 tablespoon daily. You can buy ghee at most health food stores, or make it yourself. Ghee contains short chain fatty acids that really help energize the cells that line the colon, and in exchange, they will work better and interact more efficiently with the bacteria in the gut, further enhancing the breakdown of fiber, which in turn makes more short chain fatty acids, which energize the cells of the colon lining, which…